Unlike any other disaster you will ever face, this one is going to arrive on schedule. Now, admittedly, none of us can predict what will happen, but we do at least know when the biggest problems will start.

So calm down. Read through the past threads in this forum, think about who you, where you want to be, what level of preparedness you will feel comfortable getting ready to attain.

You've got llearn a liitle bit about swimming and water before jump in a pool, and certainly you have to figure out which end is 3 feet, and which is 12 feet. Read through several threads, then start thinking about your "comfort level": some people want to prepare for 3 days, some 7 days, some for several weeks or months.

Important to remember is to study first, in the middle, and throughout. then make decisions, and don't be afraid to change those decisions as circumstances change. Ask questions as things and doubts come up, ask questions (and give us your feedback!!!!) as you find out things about your hometown. In the thread "what about you" you'll read soem other backgrounds, stick yours there if you wish.

Anybody else want to recommend 5-8 "starter" threads a nervous new guy should review? Remember too, you are the "expert" for your house in your city, you got to act for yourself.

Don't mind the brawling in some of the other threads, just look at the
facts, and think for yourself. You'll get plenty of opinions, but you
are in charge of your preparation. These folks have helped me so much,
it's really amazing. (They'll get big heads if I say much more.)

One thing I'd advise, is to do some research. Opinions vary widely as
to what the actual effects of Y2K will be. Decide for yourself,
and feel free to change your views at any time. Flexibility and a
knack for thinking on your feet will be important. When you have an
idea what to prepare for, the preparations will be much easier.

It seems most of us have gone through the 'panic stage,' it's natural.
You can start buying extra food, and saving soda and milk jugs for
water storage. These are positive, "no-risk" steps. You will be
preparing as you learn more. You may have tougher decisions to make in
the future, but by then you will have a clearer head, and a better
basis for making choices.

Welcome to the "other side of the mirror".
No. We aren't really nutcases and you better believe that we are
serious (not everyone is and not every time) and by way of intro to
the new world :

Please be advised that as we speak (type) y2k has already commenced
and it will only grow worse. You can look for a rather large pop knot
in January of 1999 as the "Forecast Effect"(see, I didn't forget)
starts it's dirty work. A very appropriate date will be April 1, 1999
as some places start their new fiscal year.

Anyway, welcome to reality. You can start with the good info at

http://www.garynorth.com Lots of good links on hundreds of subjects.
Feel free to ignore or not read his comments (it's scary at times)
but there is a wealth of knowledge in the links. Use it well.

Also visit http://survival-center.com/foodfaq/ff1-toc.htm

Learn fast. You will learn how "to pick the fly poop out of the
pepper" as is were. There is a lot you need to know and damn little
time left to learn it in. You will make it.

Oh! Learn also that you will feel a wide range of emotions from your
ride. The people here, and at other sites like this one, know how you
feel - and trust me - you aren't alone.

Above all else - remain as calm as you can. You need to work - not
panic.

Welcome to our "family" avjennings. It's hard to tell by your name if
you are male or female. The following site is where I sent my sister
when she first found out because it deals with the emotional aspects
of Y2K as well as preparing:

www.y2kwomen.com

Those of us who have been here for a little while like to tease and
play around with each other. It helps us to break up the stress from
dealing with all of the depressing news. Someone else mentioned the
"thread" called "What about you (revisited)." You can find older
threads (postings) down below all of the current questions. They are
archived according to topic. If you want to read about us, look under
the Misc. category at "What about you (revisited)." You will also
find lots of helpful information under Food, etc.

I really AM a teacher, and if you will excuse me a moment......

Alright children. No computers means no spell check. Robert you are
in big trouble! :-) But don't try to play with Pete C. on the new
Perma pak thread. He doesn't believe in games. I wouldn't want to
upset him but his spelling isn't great, either. He said, "If you see
a post you don't like I would suggest that you ignore it rather then
waist so called precious "bandwidth" in the future." Don't tell
anybody, but waist is what is around your middle. Waste is what he is
accusing you all of.

Since you are in a big city, the first thing you want to do is make a
plan for "bugging out" in the event that of civil disruptions.
Bugging out just means going to a secluded place and laying low for
awhile. So the first thing you want to do is buy all sorts of
camping equipment. Keep in mind that you will use this whether or
not you bug out. A warm sleeping bag, a coleman cook stove, a gas
syphon, a gas jug, etc. The next thing you want to do is start
stocking up on food. Canned foods are popular. Keep in mind that
you will use these irregardless. As the time gets really close,
stock up on bread and potatoes.

Don't assume the worst case scenario is the only possibility - a
range of outcomes are possible. In fact, well thought out actions both
on the personal and on the community level can go a long way towards
mitigating troubles when they do occur. For example, I like my job and
my employer and I will be prepared, should the need arise, to work for
'a short period' of time without a paycheck if I believe (at the time
such action might be necessary) that by doing so, I can help both my
employer and my job survive minor/moderate disruptions. Such action
might never be needed or may become irrelevant, but either way, it's
not going to cost me much to be prepared for that possibility and it
might go a long way towards helping reduce both the number and
severity of disruptions.

Don't assume it's a hoax (it's not) or that it won't directly
affect you (it will).

Don't rush out and spend all your money. There are entire
businesses based on fear (for example, insurance) and these people
will be more than happy to take all the money you'd care to give them.
Let the buyer beware (caveat emptor). Most of us have very limited
resources and they must be used carefully and wisely. In fact, most of
the things you can do involve personal attitude and taking stock of
the resources you already have.

Don't make any major decisions until the first waves of panic
subside and you have a chance to think things through. Make small
decisions at first and larger ones later on.

Don't run up your debt using credit cards, loans, etc. Be fiscally
conservative and practical. This is especially important as the
Christmas 'buying season' approaches. Our own gifts this year will be
much smaller than in the past and of a much more personal nature.
(Sorry, retailers - I've supported you for many years in the past, I
fully expect you to support me on this one now.)

Don't take everything you read on the Internet as fact. Get your
'news' from as many different sources as possible. Keep your eyes open
to all possibilities, not just the darkest or brightest ones. At the
current time, the best sources of information are Internet based but
no 'single' Internet source should dominate. As to the general media,
there are two issues to keep in mind. First, as a business, they are
not truly news media but simply an extension of the advertising
industry. It is their job to create an atmosphere condusive to the
sales of their clients widgits. This is neither good nor bad - it's
how they stay in business. Second, don't expect to see a great deal of
quality investigative journalism here - this is an extremely complex
issue, so complex in fact that no one can tell you exactly how this is
going to turn out. It cannot be explained in a single newspaper column
nor in a 30 second CNN sound bite, nor for that matter even in an
hour. Our general attention spans are so short that any news media
that addressed it adequetly would lose viewers (and advertising
dollars) faster than you can say 'commercial spot'.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Stay as flexible as
possible and plan for a range of contingencies. Don't put all of your
resources into one plan. For example, if power goes out sporadically
and for short periods, this is easily survivable without great
expenditures or excessive worry. If temporary food shortages do occur
and you have a few things extra on the shelf, you won't have to stand
in line. On the other hand, should the need aris eto leave your
current home, plan for a range of possibilities here. Do you have
friends in less crowded areas that you could stay with for a few days?
a few weeks? a year? Remember to start with the easy stuff. If moving
is not an option, then now would be a good time to get to know your
neighbors better - should lawless violence ever break out,
neighborhoods can be protected by the people who live there by simply
working together.

Don't adopt the 'I gotta build a huge arsenal' approach. I neither
encourage nor discourage gun ownership. If you are a responsible gun
owner and would feel more comfortable with a few extra boxes of
ammunition, fine. But you can't eat bullets and putting all your eggs
in this basket is short-sighted and will waste waste what resources
you do have. If you have never owned a gun before and decide you have
to get one, then you owe it to your family, your neighbors and
community to do it responsibly. Before you buy, get basic safety
training and adhere to it rigidly. Also, before you buy, get advice
from a weapons expert (please not Uncle 'shoot-em-up-yeeha' Bubba).
You will also need a lot of practice - this takes time and money. Your
local NRA, Issac Walton, law enforcement, etc. are good resources
here. Never substitute a gun for clear headed thinking. They are
tools, nothing more or less. Like most any potentially dangerous tool
(e.g. an automobile), a lack of common sense and good judgement can be
fatal to yourself, those you love and others around you.

Your list of don'ts is great! Some of the best advice for the new
panicker I've seen. I'd like to address one of the things you mention:

My family and I are all Y2K aware, and we are making plans. This year
for Christmas, we've decided to give each other all things from a list
that we've made. We've made a list of appropriate items, and when
somebody buys something from the list, its gets crossed off. Then,
whoever bought it will wrap it and give it to whoever they think will
ooh and aah the most. Of course, each item is really for the whole
family. That way, we don't spend money on frivolous things, but we
still get to have a big Christmas gift giving session. Actually, I
imagine in some way, the quality of gifts and purpose behind it all
will be the best we've shared in years...

The whole purpose and function of my website, Y2K Survive
(www.y2ksurvive.com) is to provide information that will help the
average person get through Y2K safely. If you've never given a
thought to any kind of survival tactics, you're the kind of person I'm
writing for. Check it out.

I'm new to this site and have just been reading through some of the
postings. I agree with all the good advice give to av - except for
one small item. Mike said to start saving pop bottles and milk jugs
for water storage. I believe milk jugs are biodegradable and will not
hold up to long term storage requirements. I hve read this info on
net sites and know it from experience, being from the boonies of the
south.

avjennings,
I'm in Albuquerque and have found a great resource. Good people to
talk with in person, and they also do preparidness classes. They are
with Rio Grande Outfitters at 4200 Wyoming NE. I've been in a couple
of times, and would recomend a trip down to Albuquerque to see them.
Feel free to E-mail me.